Police said a 23-year-old Severn man has been arrested and charged in connection with an attempted rape.

Annapolis Police Department officers were called to the back parking lot of St. Mary's Church at 2:17 a.m. Saturday for a report of a woman screaming for help.

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Police said officers found a woman, 31, from Pasadena being helped by several people. The woman told officers she was out with friends that evening when she became acquainted with Marcus Snipes Jr. He followed her and her friends when they visited several bars, police said.

Snipes offered the victim a ride home and walked her to the parking lot behind 109 Duke of Gloucester St. Once in the parking lot, Snipes attempted to rape the victim next to an unrelated vehicle parked on the lot, police said.

The victim began screaming and a person who heard the screams called the police. Also, two women heard the screaming and went to help the victim, police said. They tried to hold Snipes until officers arrived, but Snipes was able to run away.

Officers canvassed the area, but could not find Snipes for some time. They eventually found him sitting in a chair in the backyard of a home in the unit block of Shipwright Street, police said.

Police said Snipes was identified as the suspect, arrested and charged with attempted first- and second-degree rape, first- and second-degree assault, attempted first- and second-degree sex offense, reckless endangerment and false imprisonment.Snipes is being held at the Jennifer Road Detention Center without bond.

"The quick and decisive actions of our citizens helped stop this attack and with their help, our officers responded swiftly to find the suspect," Annapolis Police Chief Michael Pristoop said.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective John Murphy at 410-268-9000, ext. 7268, or jhmurphy@annapolis.gov.